Intimate Relationships and Related Concepts

A collection of vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts about intimate relationships, love theories, and social behaviors.

Intimacy

Closeness and connection with another person, which can be physical, emotional, or intellectual.

Disclosure Reciprocity

The tendency to reveal more to those who have been open with us; an important element in relationship formation.

Independence

The mutual influence that two people have on each other in a relationship.

Uniqueness

The feeling that another person is special, distinguishing close relationships from casual ones.

Sexual Attraction

Desiring another person as a sexual partner, characterized by physical touch and intimacy.

Sternberg’s Theory of Love

A model proposing that love consists of three components: intimacy, passion, and commitment.

Mere Exposure Effect

The phenomenon where increased exposure to a stimulus leads to increased liking.

Parental Investment Theory

The idea that mate preferences are shaped by the amount each sex invests in producing offspring.

The Four Horsemen

Habits identified by the Gottmans that lead to relationship failure: criticism, defensiveness, contempt, and stonewalling.

Altruism

Unselfish behavior that benefits others without regard to consequences for oneself.

Egoistic Helping

Helping motivated by selfish concern, such as seeking rewards or alleviating personal distress.

Social Exchange Theory

The theory suggesting that human interactions are governed by the exchange of rewards and costs.

Bystander Effect

The phenomenon where individuals are less likely to help a victim when other people are present.

Frustration-Aggression Hypothesis

A theory positing that frustration leads to aggression when an individual is blocked from achieving a goal.

Cognitive Association Model

A model suggesting that thoughts and feelings associated with aggression can influence aggressive behavior.

Discrimination

Positive or negative actions taken towards a group or individual based on their group membership.

Stereotypes

Beliefs or expectations based on group membership, often leading to overgeneralization and bias.

Empathy vs Personal Distress

Differentiating motivation in helping behavior: empathy involves vicariously experiencing distress, while personal distress focuses on alleviating one's own anxiety.